Me too, I don't like taking any pain meds anymore. I do if I can't walk at all. I actually go see my pain doc. tomorrow. She is such a good person. She would do anything to help me.
I have an opportunity to move. I want to sell my house. My son however doesn't want me to move to Colorado, where I thought about. he is worried i wouldn't tolerate the cold very well. Also he is my health care help, and he doesn't want me stranded alone with no support. So I suppose I am stuck in Florida, unless I can get him to move with me. When I am sure what the right move is I will act. Until that I have a lot to think about. Hope your day is good too Bram. ginnie

What part of Colorado? Also, I can see why those in Florida with RSD may experience pain from the barometric pressure going up and down because of the daily storms, but how does Colorado hash out with that issue? Colorado has both plains like Kansas and the Rocky Mountains, one extreme to the other. My wife (who has RSD) likes the cold better than the heat by far, me, on the other hand (has no RSD) likes the heat better than the cold. We live in Virginia where the weather is moderate so there are no extremes but I think there might be areas of Colorado that may be similar, not as cold as many would assume.

Hi Ginnie,

It might be a good idea to visit Colorado in the winter or even early fall before moving. I live in the mountains in Washington state where are snow starts falling in Oct. and often stays until early June - for me the pain is much more severe as the temps start to fall or my leg gets cold. Heat does also affect me but, not in the same way. When temps get above 90 my swelling get's much worse and a vascular rash appears but, the burning, shocks etc., don't seem to be any worse than they are on any given day. With the cold the random 'live wire' electrical shocks become more constant and it is these types of shocks that make it hard for me to cope.

Hoping whatever decision you make works well for you and your son!
Tessa

I was looking at Crippled Creek Colorado, and a few more towns that catch the tourists, and have strong Art Communities. I would fit right in. However Sean ( my son) did the research, and found out just how cold it is between Colorado springs and the great divide, or Denver and the great divide. I did a lot of art shows there when I was working. Camped in Lima's KOA with the kids. I always have loved the mountains, but I am not sure I could handle this kind of cold, and or isolation for months at a time. My mother was who headed down this way, and I stayed here after she passed. I also did Shows in Virginia, Roanake?? spelling???? Love this country of ours in many locations. Trying to figure out what to do is very hard. Where I live, it is hurricane prone, and to tell you the truth it is playing russian roulette, and I don't like to gamble. No one in my neighbor hood has insurance now. Citizens out priced all but the very well to do. Taxes are through the ceiling. I will keep listening to my friends here, about their locations, and what is good and bad concerning medical issues in the cold or where ever they live. Thank you both for posting to me. ginnie

I would definitely avoid living anywhere that is predominantly cold and isolated. The two in combination are not a recipe for happy days when you have something like CRPS...

I am just starting my third year of this condition, and I can see the link between how I feel and the temperature/weather conditions very very clearly. It might not be the same for everyone, but I know of several people who would agree!

The cold makes everything about this worse for me. I get more deep bone cold pain, I struggle to get warm and keep warm, I find moving generally more painful. The burning increases as the pain worsens, and I then find moving around - which we all know is vital - even harder to do. I hate winters now. Here in the UK, winter means a damp cold that now just makes me feel completely miserable on most days. Cold = pain for me. If I had the money, in a heartbeat I would move to Italy or somewhere with a warmer more stable climate.

Right now it might be August in the UK, but this evening I am cold and hurting. I am wearing joggers, thick socks and a fleece zipped up to my chin. I crave warm drinks and am fighting the urge to put a blanket over me! Just the thought of the coming autumn and winter scares me to be honest. I used to love the crisp cold months, but now I fear them because I can no longer exercise enough to keep my body warm and active and well.

The warmer months have given me a refuge from much of the pain I suffer ten months of the year. But having experienced some relief, I don't want to go back to it! Oh, for the cash to move somewhere warm!!

Sorry for the moan and being so serious

Bram.

Bram,

You mentioned deep bone pain with the cold which is more often a symptom of arthritis or disuse (as well as a sequel to CRPS).. are you taking or has anyone mentioned Celebrex? Celebrex is of great benefit to those with arthritis/joint pain and also acts as a anti-inflammatory which has helped some with the edema caused by the CRPS. I haven't had any ill side effects from taking it so that is a bonus as well. Something to think about if you haven't already tried it.

Another life saver for me during the winter months is my stationary recumbent bike & treadmill. Both vital to my recoveries after each of the 6 hip/pelvis operations and now they have become an essential part of my daily pain coping arsenal. Oh yeah.. and our hot tub seriously the best when I just can't seem to warm up any other way.

Determined to find a way to continue to live in paradise!
Tessa

Ginnie,

Have you ever heard of Sequim, WA? You might be interested in looking this area up on google. It is basically the LA of WA with very little rain and warm temperatures most of the year. Here is a link about Sequim: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequim,_Washington

BTW.. I love Cripple Creek!! Beautiful

You convinced me. I best stay put in this area. I can move inland away from the coast and be OK. I don't think I would do better in the cold. I do OK in this state. Thanks for the input, and go ahead and put that blanket on! ginnie

I will look up Sequim. Glad you knew about Cripple Creek. Some of the small towns in between the ranges are just beautiful. Will go to the link you sent. thank you....ginnie

Hi Zook. I have arthritis in my knees, but I don't have the bone deep pain in my right knee, which has worse arthritis than the L that has the CRPS. The deep bone pain is not uncommon with CRPS from the reading I've done. I was pretty active before the CRPS and still use a stationary bike and exercise generally as much as I can, but can't use a treadmill as my knee is very unstable. I've tried quite a few different meds, but I can't use anti-inflammatory tabs because they gave me stomach problems after a few months, so I elevate if the swelling builds up, and generally I manage it pretty well I think. It's frustrating trying to keep well and mobile! Can't afford a hot tub, and it would have to be a 'pleasantly-warm tub' anyway, as hot water makes the burning worse! Ah the fun and games.....we all cope as best we can

Bram.